Nokia Maps - possible alternate to Garmin 705

skyd0g

Just a 'heads-up' to all of you who may have been considering investing in a Garmin 705 device or similar mapping device. Nokia have recently announced that they are now giving away for FREE satellite navigation on all their compatible phones (irrespective of the contract or service provider you use). See full article here: http://maps.nokia.com/explore-services/ovi-maps

This means free sat-nav on your phone, without having to pay for data download costs or subscriptions to services etc. There's a demo of the sat-nav facility in operation here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OySEKlHtDUo (yes, I want to slap the presenters too).

So, if you already have a compatible Nokia or are due for an upgrade on your contract, this may be worth considering and would potentially save you £280 on a Garmin that could be spent on other shiny bike bits.

I believe that there is also a bluetooth HRM that you can link-up with your phone and use in conjunction with the Sports Tracker app. 8)

Chip \'oyler

There is also a handset that comes with a Polar heart rate strap - the N79 Active I think

fermion

I use this on my 5800, great feature!

skyd0g

fermion wrote:

I use this on my 5800, great feature!

I've just ordered the 5800 on my contract, so have yet to play with all it's toys, but all looks good.

The good thing with the Nokia is that you can download the maps into your device and then just track your movements via the in-built GPS for free. The iPhone on the other hand uses Google Maps - the map data has to be downloaded each time you access the function - potentially slower and creates a data useage.

Chip \'oyler

It is the N79 Active

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/04/14 ... 79_active/

JohnnyAllez

There`s more to a 705 than just following maps. You`ve got HRM, cadence, speedo, lap timers, training assistance, route upload and download, route sharing, etc etc

andyp

JohnnyAllez wrote:

There`s more to a 705 than just following maps. You`ve got HRM, cadence, speedo, lap timers, training assistance, route upload and download, route sharing, etc etc

There's nothing stopping you from getting most of that via low cost or evenfree software for Nokia's Symbian based devices.

skyd0g

JohnnyAllez wrote:

There`s more to a 705 than just following maps. You`ve got HRM, cadence, speedo, lap timers, training assistance, route upload and download, route sharing, etc etc

I realise that there's slightly more to the 705 than a Nokia smartphone can currently offer. I would guess that it's likely that more sophisticated apps are in development than those currently available. (HRM is already available via a bluetooth device).

I'm not suggesting that the phone is a total replacement for the 705, but an alternate that offers a good range of the facilities available via the 705, potentially without any financial outlay to the user. Also, as most riders already carry their mobile while out on a ride, it could also be one less piece of kit to load up.

JohnnyAllez

Put a bag over your fone if you`ve got it strapped to the `bars (it does come with a stem mount right?), it does rain occasionally in this part of the world

amaferanga

Is there a good bar mount and case for the Nokia phones that are waterproof and allow you to use the phone while its in the case? All I've seen for phones are monstrosities, apart from the Dahon Ipod mount that (the mount I mean) costs almost as much as a Garmin. Also is battery life with the GPS (and blue tooth HR) enough for a long day ride? Also, is the GPS reception actually any good? The GPS reception on the Blackberry Curve I had was crap compared to any Garmin I've used and the same goes for the HTC I have now.

IMO Garmins are serious training/navigation tools where as phones are just for messing around with and I can't see phones getting much better given the fact that coolness will always take precedence over functionality as a bike GPS.